Ore-separating apparatus.



G@ MCELWAIN.

ORE SEPARATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED Nov. l2. 1917.

Patented Apr. 8,1919. y 2 SHEETS-SHEET Patented Apr. 8,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. McE'LWAIN. ORE SEPARATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. I2. 1917.

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ORE-SEPARATING APrARA'rUs.

' Speccatipn -of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed November 12, 1917. Serial No. 201,582.

. T all 4whom t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE MoELwArN, a Citizen of the United States, residing at El Paso, in the county `-of El Paso, in the .State of Texas, haveinif'ented certain new and useful .Improvements vin an 0re-Separating Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part `of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus adapted to separate pulverized ore into itsconstituents and, as a largepercentage of valuable ores is found in those portions of the country where water is not readily available, one of the objects of the present invention is to 4provide a machine which will separate the ore while in a dry condition, thus rendering the use of water unnecessary. d

Another object is to provide a machine that is simple in design and consequently cheap to manufacture and will separate .the ores quickly and thoroughly. y Y

7 ith these and other objects in view as will appear from the followingdescription, the invention consists in certain novel details of construction, combinations v.and arrangements of parts, all yas will be herein described and particularly pointed outin the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying .drawings in which the present invention isshown in the preferred form; v d

Figure 1 isy a side elevation, a portion of the casing being broken away, showing the interior construction of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1in 'the direction of the arrows; v Y Y Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of receptacle, and

Fig. Li is a modified `form of receptacle for receiving the heavier ores separated from the gage and means for agitating .the ore accumulated therein. f

Like letters of reference in the several gures indicate the same parts.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and, reference .numeral 1 indicates the standards of a suitably constructed frame work on which is mounted a hollow casing 2, preferably -of cylindrical cross section, forming a duct through which the orc is conveyed to be separatedby means to be presently described. Adjaccnt one end of casing 2 is mounted a. hopper 3 adapted'to deliver ythe ore, which has previously been pulveriz'ed by Vany. suitable method, to casing. Casing 2, adjacent .the end opposite to -that .on which thejhopper 3 is mounted, `is .provided in its bottom with a -discharge opening 41 for the tailings and intermediate the .discharge opening and the hopper 3 the .bottom of casing-2 is cut away, as shown at 5a in 'F ig. 1, to form an .elongated opening .fthrough which the relatively heavy ores or values are discharged into afreceptacle 6 which .is rigidly secured to the edge of the .casing .ad- Jacent the opening by any suitable fastening devices, and forms a chamber below said opening Receptacle -6 is lprovided in `its bottom with a plurality of discharge outlets 7, each normally closed yby a gate S. One .end of each gate is pivotally secured to the receptacle `6 at 9 and itsother end, which forms a handle 10, seats in a recessed `projection `11 on the receptacle, to properly center .the gate over thedischarge opening. To withdraw the separatedores, the gate ,8 is .raised by its Whandle 10 and, whenreleased, the gate will return to its closed position by its own weight.

The preferred means for-conveying the -body of ore through .the casing'for duct '2 .and separating it into its .constituents will now be described.l Extending longitudinally of casing 2 andjournaled in heads 12, of any vsuitable material, which close the ends of casing 2, is a lshaft 13, :adapted to be rotated by hand wheel 14; or a gear wheel 15y driven by power derived from anysuitable source.` Rigidly mounted onushaft` 13 -and spaced radially therefrom by mea-ns of rods or braces16 is a .plurality of cenveyer .blades 17 of approximately the same diameter as the ,interior of the --casing andpreferably of helical form, adapted to .-simultaneouslyragitate the .ore and conveyfitl through .thecasing lorduct '2. The severaliconveyer `Ablades 17 -are spaced apart longitudinally of the shaft 13 and intermediate each pair of conveyer .blades a plurality of vsubstantially :straight beater blades 18 .fis mounted -on shaft :13 vat vapproximately right angles thereto. These :beaters agitate the body .of vore Vand .the combined .action of conveyers 17 and V:beaters 18 so thoroughly agitates the mass that ythe valuable-.ore particles, being relatively `heavy compared with the weight-of `the individual yparticles of waste substances gradually .settle downwardly, or `,gjmwitate toward the bottom of the casin while progressing through 2 where they are discharged through the tailings discharge opening 4. The heavier ore particles which` may beon the top of the mass of ore, when the latter is introduced into the-.casing2, will, of course, consume a longer period of time in reaching the bottom and it is to v.prevent the loss of these particlesl thatthe discharge opening 5 and the receptacle areuextended throughout practically the entire length of the casing, it being` understood,of course, that the length of the discharge openingfis dependent upon the charactercf the ore to be separated and the speed of its progress with relation to the degree of agitation. p

' To increase the capacity of the machine, the casing 2 is provided with means Vadapted to retard the progress through the casing of the bottom portion of the mass vof ore and n permit the yheavy particles toinorereadily descend through the p discharge opening' 5. The means for accomplishing this result preferably consists of a plurality ofcurved bars 19, bridged across the dischargebpeny ing and secured to the casing by any suitable form of fastening devices. These bars 19 are of .substantially the same contour `as the wall of the casing`2 and are adapted to engage the heavier ore particles in the bottom Y p portion of themass and retard their proggress throughthe casing, the ore particles,

when thus partially freed from the forces exerted upon them by the conveyer blades, being more susceptible to the forces of gravity and consequentlydescend from the casing into the receptacle 6 more quickly.

Journaled in the ends of the receptacle 6 is a second shaft k2() on which is mounted a plurality of beaters 21 'of such length as to pass beneath the conveyers 17 and bea-ters 18 in casing 2. Shaft 20 lis rotated by a gear wheel 22 mounted on the end thereof and adapted to mesh vwith gear wheel 15 on shaft 13. 'Beaters 21 agitate and stratify the ore particles accumulated on the receptacle 6 so that should any sandor other waste substances reach the receptacle it will be held in the upper portion of the receptacle, the heavier ore particles gravitating or settling toward the outlets 7 from which they maybe readily withdrawn.

In the construction `shown in Fig. 3 the outlets' 7 of receptacle G are closed by caps vmediate the ends for the relatively `3l in receptacle 6 by a screw thread connection and to prevent the material accumulated in the receptacle from dropping out when the caps are removed, there is provided a series of cut-offs 32, one cut-off for each cap, rigidly mounted on shafts 33 journaled in the sides of receptacle 6. Each cut-oli' 32 is normally held in open position, as shown, but when it is desired to remove any 'one o f the caps 30 the corresponding cut-off is turned to its closed position as shown in dotted lines by means of a handle 34 mounted on the end of from the side of the receptacle. In the modification shown in Fig. v4, the casing 2 is provided with a plurality of small discharge openings 40 for the heavy ores which are held in 'receptacles 41 secured to the casing below each opening 40. A vertically extending shaft 42 to which a plurality of beater blades or agitators 43 is secured is mounted in each receptacle 41 and for roshaft 33 projecting tating'these shafts, they are provided` at their lower ends, which project from the bottoms of the receptacles, with a gear wheel 44 meshing with gear wheel 45 on a rotatable shaft 46, the latter being driven by any suitable means. These agitators cause a stratification of the ore particles accumulated in the pockets, in the same manner as the body of ore is stratified in casing 2, so that should any sand, or other waste substances, reach the receptacles, it will be held inthe upper portion of the receptacles, the heavier ore particles settling in the bottom of the receptacles from which they may be withdrawn through outlets 47.

What I claim is: y

1. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, thecombination of an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore and having a discharge opening for tailingsat one vend and a discharge opening in its lower portion interheavy orjes, a hopper for deliveringthe ore to said casing, and mechanical means for conveying the ore through said casing and simultaneously agitating and effecting gravity stratification Ithereof during such movement, the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the body of the ore towardthe bottom o-f the casing andk nally passing downi wardly through said discharge opening, and the lighter particles passing away through the end discharge opening.

2. -Ina machine for separating ore into its constituentsin a dry. condition, thel combination of an elongated casing forming a duct forthe ore and having a discharge opening for tailings at one end anda discharge opening in its lower portion for the relatively` heavy ores, a delivery hopper, mechanical means for conveying the ore through rgaeegsesf.

said casing and simultaneously effecting stratification 'thereof during such' move ment, the heavier ore particles settling downwardly throughfthe-body of ore toward the bottom of the casing and linall-yl passing downwardlyy through saiddischarge opening, and means for retarding the progress through lower portion of but above the bottom of the body of the ore whereby their stratification for passage through the respective discharge openings is augmented.

3. In a machine for sepa-rating ore into such movement, the heavier oreparticles 'set-' tling downwardly throughthe body* of the ore and finally passing downwardly through the discharge opening in thebottom ofthe casing and above the bottom of the body of ore for retarding the progress o f the ore particles in thelower portion` of the body'rof t ing, wherebyv their lpassage through the discharge opening is augmented.

4j. In a machine for separatingore into its constituents in a dry condition",the combination of an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore andA having'a tailings discharge at one end and tion for the relatively heavyy ores, a hopper for delivering ore to said casing,fan o re receptacle below the elongated discharge opening, mechanical means for conveying the ore through 4said casing and simultaneously Aef.- fecting stratification thereof' during such movement,l the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the body of ore toward the bottoml of the casing and finallyl passing downwardly through the discharge opening into said receptacle and means for retardingV the progress through. the cas-ing of the ore particles inthe lower portion of but above the bottom of the mass of ore whereby the the casing of the ore particles in theand means mounted ore through the cas? relatively heavy ores,

l .a longitudinally. extending` elongated discharge openingm its lower por# opening provided with a plurality of outlets, said outlets being spaced longitudinally of the receptacle, closures forsaid outletsy and mechanical means for conveying the Ore through said casing and simultaneously ef(- fecting stratification thereof during such movement, the heavier ores settling downwardly throughthe body of ore toward the bottom of the casing and finally. passing downwardly through said discharge opening into said ore receptacle.

6. In. a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, the combination with an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore and provided with fa longitudinally extending openingin its lower` portion forthe relatively heavy ores, an ore recep-V tacle belowthe discharge openingprovided with a Lplurality of outlets, said outlets being spaced longitudinally of the receptacle, mechanical means for conveyingy the ore through said casing and simultaneously effecting stratification thereofv during such movement, the heavier ores settling downwardly throughthe body of ore toward the bottomof the casing and nally passing downwardly through said discharge opening into said ore receptacle, means for retarding the progress through the casing of the ore particles of the lower strata, butabove the bottomfof the ore body whereby their passage through the discharge opening into the Pockets is augmented.

7. In a inaclnnefor separating ore into its constituents ina dry condition, the combination of an elongated casing forming a duct for vthe ore and having an elongated discharge opening in its lower portion for the a hopper for delivering ore to the casing, an elongated ore receptacle below said discharge opening provided with a plurality of outlets, a shaft journaled in said casing, means for rotating said shaft,'a plurality -of conveyer blades and beaters mounted on said shaft for conveying the body of ore through the casing and simultaneously effecting stratification thereofl during such movement, the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the body of ore and forming thelower strata and finally passing through the discharge openinginto said ore receptacle, and means mounted in the bottom of the casing and above the ore receptacle for retarding the progress of the bottom strata of ore particles through the casing whereby' their passage throughthe discharge receptacle opening into said` receptacle is augmented.

' 8. In a, machine for separating oreinto its constituents in a dry condition,the-combinafA tion with an elongated'casi'ng forming a duct for theore, said casing having an elongated discharge openingin its lower port-ion for the relatively heavy ores and a discharge opening at one end for the tailings, a deliv ery hopperat the other end of the casing for delivery of ore toL said casing, mechanical means for conveying the ore through thel casing and simultaneously effecting stratification thereof during such movement, the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the body of the ore toward the bottom of the casing and forming the lower stratum and iinally passing downwardly through said discharge opening, the lighter particles or tailings forming the upper strata being carried to and discharged through the tailings discharge opening, and means for retarding the progress'through the casmg of the ore particles 1n the lower stratum and above tthe bottom of the body of ore whereby longitudinally of the their passage through the discharge opening in the bottom of the casingis augmented.

v 9. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, the combination of an elongated cylindrical casing forming a duct for the ore and having a delivery hopper mounted .on said casing, a shaft rotatably mounted in andy extending tating ,said shaft, a plurality of conveyer blades mounted on said shaft and spaced radially therefrom veyer blades, said conveyer blades and beaters being adapted to convey the mass of` ore through the casing and simultaneously effect stratification thereof during such movement, the heavier ore particles jgra'vitating downwardly through the vmass of ore and finally passing through the dischargeopening.

10. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry 'conditionthe com-4 bination vof an elongated hollow casing forming a duct for the ore, a hopper for delivering the ore to said casing, `an elongated receptacle for the heavy ores positioned below thecasing and communicating with the interior thereof, mechanical means for conveying the ore through the casing and simultaneously effect-ing stratification thereof, during such movement,the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the mass of ore toward the bottou ofthe casing and finally passing out of the casing into the receptacle, and means for retarding the progress through the casing of the heavier ore particles in the lower portion of the mass of ore, and above the bottom thereof whereby the passage of the heavier ore particles into the receptacle is augmented.

11. Ina machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition the'combination `of an elongated hollow casing vforming a duct 'for the ore and having a casing, means for ro- Y ously effecting stratification and a plurality of'beaters' mounted on said shaft, intermediate ,the conplurality of convey'er blades mounted `on said shaft and spaced radially therefrom and a pluralityof beaters mounted on said shaft, said conveyer blades andbeaters be-y ing adapted to convey the mass of ore through the'ca'sing and simultaneously` effeet stratificationy thereof during such movement, theV vheavier ore particles settling downwardly through the mass of ore toward the bottom of the casing and finally passing downwardly through the discharge opening into said receptacle, andmechanical means in said receptacle forveffecting stratification of the ore particles accumulated f.in the receptacle, whereby thevligher particles pass back into theccasing and the heavier particles pass to the rbottom ofthe receptacle.

e l2. 4Ina machine` for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, the combination ofan elongated casing forming a duct for" the ore and having a discharge opening in its .bottom for the, relatively heavy ores, a hopper for deliverin ore to thecasing, a receptacle below the discharge opening,y mechanical means for conveying the ore through the casing and simultanethereof during such movement, the heavier ore particles settling Vdownx'vardly through. the 4body o f ore andpassing through thedischarge openingintoI said receptacle, and mechanical means for effecting .stratification of the ore particles accumulated in the receptacle, whereby the lighter particles pass back into the: casing and; the heavier particles pass to the bottom of the receptacle. v13. In almachine forseparating ore'into its constituents ina drycondition, the combination of a hollow casing forming a duct for the ore and having a discharge opening in its bottom Vportion for the relatively heavy ores, a delivery hopper, an ore receptacle positioned below said discharge opening, a shaft mounted in said casing, means for rotating said shaft, la plurality` of conveyer blades and a plurality of beaters mounted on said shaft Yfor conveying the mass of ore through the casing and effecting stratica tion thereof during such movement, the heavyy ore particles settling toward the bottom of the mass of ore and passing through the discharge opening into they receptacle, a shaft mounted in the receptacle adapted to' be rotated by the rotating means of the first mentioned shaft and a plurality of beaters Vmounted on said shaft adapted to effect kparticles accumumounted in said receptacle, means for rotating said shaft, and a plurality of beaters mounted on said shaft adapted to agitate the ore particles in said receptacle and effect stratification thereof, whereby the heavier particles move to the bottom of the receptacle and the lighter particles move up into the casing.

15. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, the combination of an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore and having a discharge opening in its lower portion for the relatively heavy ores, a hopper for delivering ore to said casing, an orefreceptaclepositioned below said discharge opening, a shaft journaled in said casing, means for rotating said shaft, a plurality of conveyer blades mounted on said shaft and spaced radially therefrom, and a plurality of beaters mounted on said shaft, said conveyer blades and beaters being adapted to convey the ore through the casing and simultaneously effect stratification of the ore during such movement, the heavy ore particles settling downwardly through the body of ore and passing through the discharge opening, and means for mechanically stratifying ore particles accumulated in the receptacleand to return the lighter particles to the casing.

16. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, the combination of an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore and having a discharge opening in its lower portion for the relatively heavy ores, a hopper for delivering ore to said casing, ancre receptacle positioned belowsaid discharge'opening, a shaft journaled in said casing, means for rotating said shaft, a plurality of conveyer blades mounted on said `shaft and spaced radially therefrom, and a plurality of beaters mounted on said shaft, said conveyer blades and beaters being adapted to convey the ore through the casing and simultaneously effect stratification ofthe ore during such movement, the heavy ore particles settling downwardly through the body of ore and passing through the discharge opening, a shaft mounted in said receptacle adapted to be rotated by the rotating means of the first mentioned shaft, and a plurality of beaters mounted on the shaft in said receptacle for stratifying the ores accumulated in the receptacle. l

17. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents in a dry condition, the combination of an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore and having a discharge opening in its lower portion for the relatively heavy ores, a hopper for delivering ore to the casing, an ore receptacle positioned below the discharge opening, and mechanical means for conveying the ore through said casing and simultaneously effecting stratification thereof, the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the body 0f ore to the bottom of the casing and passing through said discharge opening into the receptacle, means mounted in the bottom of the casing above the bottom of the body of ore for retarding the progress through the casing of the ore particles in the lower vportion of the mass of ore, whereby their pas sage through the discharge opening into the receptacle is augmented, and means mounted in the receptacle for mechanically effecting stratification of the ore particles accumula-ted in the receptacle.

18. In a machine for separating ore into its constituents ina dry condition, the combination of an elongated casing forming a duct for the ore and having` a discharge opening in its lower portion for the relatively heavy ores, a ore to the casing, an ore receptacle positioned below the discharge opening, mechanical means for conveying the ore through said casing and simultaneously effecting stratification thereof, the heavier ore particles settling downwardly through the body of ore to the botto-m of the casing and passing through said discharge opening into the receptacle, means mounted in the bottom of the casing above the receptacle for retarding the progress through the casing of the ore particles in the lower portion of the mass l0f ore, whereby their passage through the discharge opening into the receptacle is augmented, a shaft mounted in said receptacle adapted to be rotated by the rotating means of the first mentioned shaft, and a plurality of beaters mounted on the shaft in said receptacle for` effecting stratification of the ores accumulated in the receptacle.

GEORGE MCELWAIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. c. 

